IPL 2020 likely to be held behind closed doors over coronavirus fears

The possibility of holding this year’s edition of the Indian Premier League behind closed doors has become real as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to discuss and decide on the fate of the T20 tournament amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The IPL governing council is expected to meet on March 14 to discuss further actions with regard to the tournament.

As part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the government issued fresh advisory on visa restrictions, banning all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till April 15. The move has ensured that no foreign players will be allowed to play in the 2020 IPL till that time.

Reports said that BCCI officials will discuss the possibility of playing the IPL behind closed doors and that compensation for the teams will also be discussed.

In addition, the sports ministry has also asked national federations, including the BCCI, to follow the health advisory issued by the government I the wake of the new coronavirus cases reported in the country and avoid large gathering of people at sports events.

Meanwhile, a PIL in the Madras High Court has called for the IPL to be cancelled amid the outbreak. The petitioner, a practicing lawyer in Chennai, stated in his plea that he did not have any personal agenda against the tournament, but argued that India has a poor track record in containing the spread of epidemics.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

The 13th edition of the IPL is scheduled to begin from March 29 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.